PRODUCED BY THE SURVEYS AND MAPPING BRANCH. DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND TECHNICAL SURVEYS. 1965. Travel permits are required for all climbing off TRAILS IN THE VICINITY OF BANFF to be joined by the Spray River from the southeast. to the highway approaching Banff from the Trans- spruce forest. The trail crosses the Sundance road park trails and for overnight travel on trails. The river has cut between Tunnel and Rundle Canada Highway. These are pleasant to walk if you beyond the Cave and Basin, about H/i miles from There is a fair variety of trails in the vicinity of Mountains, which are in the same range, before wish to go a little further and vary your route instead town. You may return to town along the road, or Park regulations require that anyone climbing a Banff from the short stroll to the extended ramble finding the natural valley northeast of Mount Rundle. of "back-tracking" by the campground road to town. follow the trail further (across the road and up­ mountain in the Park should obtain a travel permit Extended circle trip is 10 miles. and some well-graded trails to mountain tops (Tunnel 2. Trails in the Tunnel Mountain Area hill), and then the road to Sundance Canyon (3.3 miles from town). Another alternative is the trail from the nearest park warden, or at the office of the and Sulphur Mountains). There are some trails For those seeking a pleasant walk near the town, 3. Middle Springs (footpath only) in Sulphur Moun­ uphill and back across the lower slopes of Sulphur Chief Warden. The office of the Banff District Warden especially suited to horse-back riding but still pleasant but who don't want to climb the mountain, the trail tain are easily reached by a %-mile trail starting in Mountain to the town streets, as shown on the map. is in the Warden Equipment Building on the corner walking if you don't mind encountering the occasional around the mountain is worthwhile, with choices the gardens behind the park administration building. Each choice has its special rewards, depending on horse, while some are distinctly footpaths. A few of routes for shorter or longer walks. You will find the sign for this trail at the top of the of Squirrel and Elk Streets. The permit applies to are more available to the motorist but most of them your time and energy. You may walk downstream along the Bow River gardens on the right. Rundle Mountain if it is intended to go beyond the may be reached from the townsite, or bus service is from the north end of the Bow Bridge, to the view This is a very gradual ascent to a natural sulphur 5. At Sundance Canyon a trail (U/z mile loop) has top of the trail. It does not apply to Tunnel Mountain available to assist the hiker. above the Bow Falls (1 mile), with the last part of spring which flows from small hillside caves. These been developed in the canyon itself, crossing the or Sulphur Mountain when climbing on the trails. and other springs in the area originate from rain and stream and climbing amongst the rocks. The canyon 1. Tunnel Mountain—1.6 miles to the summit, climb the route on the road. This is a pleasant picnic spot Holders of travel permits must "sign in" upon their surface water that seeps into fractures or pores in is not spectacular, but rather pleasant with a lively 1,000 ft. altitude. with a fine view of the Banff Springs Hotel and the return. Spray River Valley framing Goat Mountain. Rundle the rock and circulates to depths where the tem­ stream tumbling and splashing over the edge of The trail up Tunnel Mountain is one of the oldest Mountain is nearby on the left. perature of the rock is very high. The hot water Sundance Valley on its way to the Bow River. Some Fires may not be lit anywhere in the park except and most popular in the Bow Valley. It starts in the From here continue on the road a few yards to a then returns to the surface along fracture zones dis­ interesting plants grow here; purple phacelia, golden in places prepared for them, such as picnic grounds townsite, on St. Julien Avenue, not far from the sign on the right which announces "Trail to Hoodoos solving lime and sulphur compounds from the rocks. corydalis and spotted saxifrage, are features of the Banff School of Fine Arts. Tunnel Mountain lies in and fire circles, unless a special fire permit has been 2.9 M." Take this trail downhill to a quiet backwater The lime has formed the calcareous rock deposits canyon flora. The trail continues upstream for almost the middle of the Bow Valley. Altitude in 5,550 feet. issued. Organized groups of picknickers are requested of the Bow River in less than a mile. The trail (tufa) around the springs, creating an overburden a mile, and then climbs a little above the right bank Unless you make long stops you should be able to to obtain fire permits for use of off-highway picnic- continues along the river bank at the foot of the on the bed rock and glacial till of the area. Hydrogen and turns back through the woods to a fine viewpoint make the top in an hour; the return trip, including Tunnel Mountain cliffs to Tunnel Mountain sulphide gives the odour to the water. The warm of Mt. Edith across the valley, before descending the grounds or fire circles. time for the views at the top and a good rest, meadows. The months of June and July provide a water also encourages plant growth not found else­ hill to the parking lot. 2 to 21/2 hours. Publications on geology and other natural features, fair variety of mountain flowers (to see but not to where. Some plants remain green all year due to the 6. The Upper Hot Springs 2y2 miles, 500 ft. climb. and topographical maps of the Mountain Parks may Preliminary Advice: There is no water on this little pick, please) and there are some very large old warm water, and air near the stream. There is a very Walking time about 1 hour. Walk along Spray be purchased at park information offices in Banff mountain, so take some fruit or something to drink Douglas fir trees here which have survived the forest fine view from the open meadow here, revealing the Avenue and past the Banff Springs Hotel. Beyond the Bow Valley near Banff, with, left to right, Mt. Cory, and Lake Louise, or at the park administration after you reach the summit, especially on a warm day. fires of a century ago because they were protected parking lot here, and above the entrance to the fire Also, don't look for the tunnel—it isn't there. The Mt. Norquay, Cascade Mountain with Stoney Squaw road, a well graded trail starts uphill on the right building. by their thick bark. The trail then climbs easily to railway had plans for one through the ridge but it a low east ridge of the mountain near Tunnel Moun­ at its base, and beyond this to the right, the Palliser and comes out on the road just below the Upper Hot A schedule of conducted walks is arranged for the was never built. Take it easy and stick to the trail, tain Campground. To return to town, turn left and Range with Mt. Aylmer's peak. In the foreground, Springs and Gondola Lift lower terminal. This it summer months in the Banff area and in the western for a pleasant and rewarding walk. follow the campground road (round trip about 5 miles) glimpses of the town on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain. probably no shorter than the main road to the springs, section of the park. Information about these walks The wonderful view from the summit of Tunnel or continue along the ridge to the Hoodoos, 2 miles 4. Bow River, south bank, west of town. This may but you escape the traffic and pass through the pleasant and cool woods. From a point very near may be obtained at any Park Information office. Mountain makes the walk worth anyone's time and farther. There is a magnificent view here of the lower be reached by a dike crossing the swampy area just energy. It lies like an island in the middle of the Bow River. The geology and natural history of this before you reach the Cave and Basin springs, and the Hot Springs building, the trail may be found for... Self-guiding nature trails are located at the Hoodoos Bow River Valley, which at this point runs directly place are explained in the self-guiding leaflet for the follows a route westward between the swamp and 7. Sulphur Mountain Summit—3 miles or 2 hours, near Tunnel Mountain Campground, at Lake Agnes east and west, cutting across the ranges. A few miles Hoodoos Nature Trail. the river. This is sometimes a good "birding area", climb 2,200 feet. There is a trail access to the summit, above Lake Louise, and at Peyto Lookout near upstream the river swings out of the town and then, You will notice other trails along the ridge which as waterfowl inhabit the swampy area and the river. besides the gondola lift. Drinking water may be Bow Pass on the Banff-Jasper Highway. just east of the townsite, pours over the Bow Falls, will return you to the campground area, or bring you There are warblers, chickadees and kinglets in the obtained from a spring about 2 miles up, and refresh­

ments are available in a restaurant at the summit. 10. Golf Course Loop. 5 miles return to the Spray provides a splendid panorama of the Bow Valley which furnishes the water for Banff townsite. Across must walk back to town, cross the highway to the Alpine larch and whitebark pine are trees unique Bridge, 7 miles from the Bow Bridge. One of the east of Banff. The view from a hill towards the far the bridge the well-graded trail switchbacks up the Vermilion Lakes Drive, which is more shaded and to the summit and this altitude; alpine flowers also most pleasant trails in the vicinity of Banff, providing end of the lake faces the cliffs of Mt. Rundle across western slopes of Cascade Mountain to the Amphi­ interesting. Distance from Norquay parking area are found on the ridge. A particularly comprehensive you don't mind sharing it with a few horsemen, is the the valley and eastward, or left, Chinaman's Peak, theatre. This is a great cleft in the side of the mountain to the Trans-Canada via Edith Pass is 8.5 miles, view of the geological aspects of the entire region is bridle trail in the vicinity of the golf course. It starts the Three Sisters and Pigeon Mountain. To the west where alpine flowers, marmots and pikas (Little with an 800 foot climb on the north side. From the obtained from the upper terminal of the lift and from just beyond the first green, on the right side of the are the familiar shapes of Tunnel, Norquay, Stoney Chief Hare) abide. It is occasionally visited also by Trans-Canada, travelling in reverse, the climb to the end or the ridge trail (Vi mile). road. The trail is near the Golf Course most of the Squaw and Cascade Mountains. A surprise is the goat, sheep, elk. Part way up this trail a left fork Edith Pass is 1,700 feet. spectacular arrow shape of Mt. Louis showing beyond leads towards the head of the valley on a fairly level 15B. Cory Pass. Another mountain trail in this area 8. The Spray Valley Trails. One approach to this way, providing lovely vistas across the fairways. Here the river has cut a valley across the range and and north of Mt. Norquay. If you are lucky you may trail over the pass and around a ridge of Brewster is approached from the Edith Pass trail above valley has its entrance near the Upper Hot Springs, l you can see, as you start back towards the Spray, see a pair of loons feeding in this lake, more likely Mountain to Elk Lake, which lies in a small hanging Vermilion Lakes (see above). About /i mile from the at the far end of the parking lot. Here a trail crosses the continuous flow of the rock formations in the during the morning or evening hours. valley beyond, and 200-300 feet above the pass. trail entrance, Cory Pass trail branches left to climb the gondola lift right-of-way and makes a gradual faces of Rundle and Tunnel Mountains. Cascade Here you are completely away from the Bow Valley steeply on the south ridge of Mount Edith and follow descent to the Spray River Fire Road, which provides 13. At Lake Minnewanka. This is the largest lake in Mountain, also part of this range, is visible beyond the Park, 11 miles, and at its eastern end it cuts the and its familiar peaks. The lake at 7,000 feet over­ the west side of the ridge into the Pass, which is a return route to town. Round trip from the Bow Tunnel Mountain, on the outward walk. The Devil's first range of the Rocky Mountains. Some blockage looks a high and wild valley of alpine meadows 7,000 feet altitude. Distance from the highway is Bridge is ll/i miles, or from the Upper Hot Springs Cauldron on the 8th hole of the golf course, is at the far end has created two small lakes one of studded with alpine fir. The stream has an obscure 4 miles, climb 3,150 feet. There is no trail beyond back to the bridge 4% miles. The Spray Valley offers particularly interesting: it is a small clear green pond which drains eastward to the foothills and the outlet further north which cuts midway through the this point but if you are well shod and used to several variations. A pleasant walk of 8 miles may be entirely surrounded by hill and mountain. This is a Ghost River, while Lake Minnewanka drains in the Cascade range and eastward to the Cascade River. scrambling, you can continue northeast to circum­ made by going up the fire road from the Banff Springs "kettle hole" created when the glacier retreated from main Bow Valley near Banff. Stewart Canyon is only Return by the same trail. navigate Mt. Edith, keeping right. This wild pocket Hotel to a bridge 4 miles upstream, and returning on l on the west side of Mt. Louis, which is called this valley, leaving an enormous block of ice here. a short walk (Vi mile) from the recreational area at 15A. Edith Pass. This trail branches left about /i mile the east side of the river. There is considerable varia­ Gargoyle Valley, is fascinating for its gendarmes or The debris of the glacier melt was deposited in hills Lake Minnewanka. The canyon is the outlet of the from the trail entrance at Norquay parking lot. It tion in plants and scenery. For a short walk upstream, rock pinnacles, and for the small alpine meadow at around the ice block before it melted. Cascade River; in fact the lake level reaches into the swings around Mount Norquay, keeping altitude a trail cuts down from the fire road to a pony bridge the foot of Edith's cliff. The drop between the passes 11. The Dryas Meadow is D/i miles further down the canyon. Rocky Mountain sheep often may be seen fairly well, with a gradual drop to cross Forty Mile less than a mile upstream, and back to a point near west and north of Mt. Edith is only 400 feet. You Bow River, from a gate in the golf course fence in this region. There is a bridge across the canyon Creek in 3 miles. The trail follows the creek to the will pick up another trail on the northeast side of the the Spray Bridge on the Golf Course loop road, just about a half mile beyond the Devil's Cauldron. This to a trail for a short distance upstream, or turn right base of Edith Pass before crossing back to the south mountain which rejoins the main Edith Pass trail behind the first green of the golf course. is a cool and flowery woods walk with glimpses of to continue as far as you wish above the lake shore. side. This is a beautiful valley, cut deep and narrow, part way down towards Bow Valley. Round trip 9. The Mount Rundle trail. Whether you wish only the Bow River and the mountains northward. It The District Warden can provide information about and presided over by one of the most spectacular 9 miles, climb 3,550 feet including Gargoyle valley. to go up the trail for the view, or to climb the finally comes out on a large gravel bar carpeted with Aylmer Pass if you wish to make a day's hike in this peaks in these mountains—Mt. Louis, with a sheer This is a full day's trip. mountain, take this east bank Spray fire road beyond Drummond's Dryas, a low growing plant of charming region, scenically and botanically rewarding in the wall of Devonian (Palliser formation) limestone, the first green of the golf course. The Rundle Moun­ small yellow flowers growing from a mat of dark latter part of July. upbended at the base of a thrust fault which is tain trail turns off left within a half mile, climbing green leaves. A waterfall tumbles from the cliffs of 14. From Norquay parking area. From the large related to the Sawback range. Three peaks in this gradually southward and then switchbacking up Rundle Mountain nearby, and birch trees, rather parking lot at Mount Norquay on the right before range are, south to north: Edith, Louis and Fifi. Issued under the authority of uncommon in this area, grow from the gravel wash The trail climbs the pass between these handsome HONOURABLE ARTHUR LAING, P.C., M.P., B.S.A. through the timber. Finally, high on the slope, it you go uphill to the lodge, a trail goes northward. Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development continues southward across two gulleys to put you brought down from the mountain by the spring At Vi-mile it branches. Stay right for the Amphi­ pinnacles and Mt. Norquay on the east. directly below one of the main peaks. This 3-mile torrents. theatre on Cascade Mountain (4 miles one way, In season, the strawberries and small red alpine Roger Duhamel, F.R.S.C. trail ends about halfway to the summit (in altitude). 12. Johnson's Lake is on the Lake Minnewanka road climb 2,000 feet plus 300 feet on the return journey), blueberries are delicious thirst quenchers, as the trail Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery Any travel beyond this point is considered climbing at the top of the hill, above the junction on the and for Elk Lake (8 miles one way with 2,000 feet climbs to the sub-alpine meadows before plunging Ottawa, Canada (see note for climbers). One word of advice: there is Trans-Canada Highway east of Banff. From the park­ gradual climb). This trail goes gently downhill to the towards the Bow Valley. The trail comes out on the 1967 386-59 no water on this mountain beyond about Vi-mile. ing area there is a 2-mile trail around the lake, which valley of Forty Mile Creek, a clear and lively stream Trans-Canada Highway 4 miles west of Banff. If you